Merzouga

31.0987

-4.0116

Image:
The grand dunes of Erg Chebbi

Image:
A traditional camp in the desert

This desert town in the south-east of Morocco has the blocky, terracotta coloured buildings so common in this part of the world, and borders one of the world’s most spectacular landscapes.
Merzouga lies on the edge of Erg Chebbi, a monumental series of sand dunes that reach heights of 160 metres, larger than many of the skyscrapers in London’s business district. It’s an amazing sight, especially as the dunes change colour in the setting sun from shades of gold to orange, pink and purple. When you come here you'll be immersing yourself in Saharan Morocco, a place unlike any other.

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Merzouga Culture

Merzouga Cycling

Merzouga Desert Treks

Merzouga Family Days Out

Merzouga Food and Drink

Merzouga Motorcycling

Merzouga People

Merzouga Retreats

Merzouga Culture

Image: The desert shapes the people and the culture of Merzouga

The way of life in Merzouga is unique to desert people – living beside this vast expanse of sand has created a culture that is both exotic and intriguing. Merzouga is the place to see folk dances and the nomadic tribes that still pass by the town, and it’s possible to take a guide and visit these people to experience a culture that has been unchanged for centuries.

Merzouga Cycling

Image: Mountain biking in the desert

Cycling in this part of the world is an amazing experience. Unlike the towns and cities, cycling around Merzouga means you can really get in touch with the massive landscape that surrounds you.
See the gorgeous sunrise while sitting on a sand dune, or camp under one of the clearest, most star filled skies you have ever seen. Either way, be prepared for stunning desert scenery where sand, wind and sun come together to produce unbelievable views. You’ll cycle past beautiful oases and sand dunes as tall as minarets, and the only people you will meet, apart from the residents of the small villages along the roadside, are nomad families and the occasional fellow traveller.

Merzouga Desert Treks

Image: Trekking in the desert is the experience of a lifetime

If there’s one reason people come to Merzouga more than any other, it’s to take a trip out into the desert. When you arrive in this distant town in the south of Morocco, your gaze can’t help but be drawn to the seemingly endless sea of sand that spreads out before it. There are many local companies and independent guides who will take you out into the Sahara, not just to the majestic dunes of Erg Chebbi, but also to the little villages where you can meet the people who live in this spectacular environment.

Merzouga Family Days Out

Image: Panorama from the Erg Chebbi desert

Merzouga is a place that shows a different side to Morocco than the big cities. Visit this southern town and you and your family will be rewarded with moments that you’ll remember for the rest of your lives.
Try a trek to the Sahara desert where your children can go fossil hunting or look for animals. You can sleep in traditional Amazigh tents, see a sky with a million bright stars and watch the sun come up over huge sand dunes. There’s also camel trekking, desert hiking, sand boarding, quad driving – all designed to give your family the holiday of a lifetime.

Merzouga Food and Drink

Image: Merzouga has a wide range of different foods for you to experience

Even on the edge of the desert, Merzouga is still a Moroccan town and this is reflected in the range of dishes available from the cafés and restaurants in town. Couscous and meaty tagines are top of the menu here, but you should also attempt to try Madfouna. Sometimes dubbed the ‘Berber Pizza’, the dough is on the outside, and stuffed with a range of foodstuff, depending on where you are. In this region it’s likely to be pieces of steak and eggs, served with a light salad on the side.

Merzouga Motorcycling

Image: A motorbike journey through the desert is a trip to savour

Merzouga is an ideal example of what many people envisage when they plan their Moroccan motorcycling trip. When you ride out this far south you’ll discover an untouched Morocco, away from major development and tourist traps.
It’s in this part of the world that you can ride out to Erg Chebbi – the series of giant dunes that constantly shift and change. Also nearby is Lake Dayet Srji, a large body of salt water to the west of Merzouga that attracts all sorts of wildlife in the springtime including flamingos and Arabian buzzards.

Merzouga People

Image: The Amazigh have lived in this region for centuries

The people of this desert town are a mix of Arabs and Amazigh. Living in such a remote place they have developed an independence that is clear to see, yet like all Moroccans, they have a sense of hospitality that is immediately obvious to any visitors. There are many different ethnic communities and minorities in the area and they co-exist happily, regardless of their customs and habits.

Merzouga Retreats

Image: Go on a desert retreat for an experience like no other

If you’re looking for somewhere to go to get away from it all, heading to this town on the edge of the Sahara desert will meet your needs perfectly. Far away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities, with the desert on your doorstep, Merzouga is a place where you can take a step back and reconnect with yourself.
Take a place on one of the organised retreats where everything is organised for you, allowing you to practise yoga in the desert and meditate in the shadow of giant sand dunes without being weighed down by other concerns. This part of the world is becoming increasingly popular for retreats and it’s easy to see why.

Staying In Merzouga

Image: As well as hotels, there are more traditional places to stay...

There are dozens of places to stay in and around Merzouga, ranging from functional hostels to opulent palaces and kasbahs that date back to the times of Berber princes. Most places provide food and drink and will arrange desert treks and other tours for you as part of the service.

Getting To Merzouga

Image: You can't fly direct to Merzouga, but what a road trip

Merzouga is tucked in the south-east corner of Morocco and can only be reached by road. People coming from abroad usually fly directly to Marrakech and drive from there, or fly into Casablanca or Agadir and then take an internal flight to Ouarzazate. The drive from Marrakech is about 350 miles, while Ouarzazate is 230 miles, so it's a good idea to split the journey over two days and see a different part of Morocco on the way.

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